Airborne 08.18.17

Globemasters Live Up To Their Name

In a coordinated effort with US Air Forces in Europe and Air
Mobility Command, the Air Force Reserve Command is providing
dedicated aircrews to fly C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift
missions in Europe and Africa.

The first group of reservists to arrive at Ramstein Air Base,
Germany, includes aircrew members, a mission commander, an NCO in
charge and a crew chief from AFRC's 514th Air Mobility Wing,
McGuire AFB, NJ. They will serve on a rotational basis with
reservists from other units replacing them.

"All of the reservists are here on a volunteer basis, not as
mobilized reservists," said Lt. Col. James Fryer, the commander of
the AFRC's 732nd Airlift Squadron from McGuire AFB. "Our unit was
tasked with the first rotation since it was our (air and space
expeditionary force) bucket, but we all volunteered to come."

The C-17s will come from various bases on a rotational basis.
The first C-17 arrived at Ramstein AB from Charleston AFB, SC,
January 29. A second C-17 is due to arrive in mid-to-late spring
with two more aircrews.

While deployed, the aircrews and aircraft will be assigned to
the 779th Expeditionary Airlift Flight. They will provide global
airlift in support of the U.S European Command mission as well as
augmenting the global mobility fleet.

"The maintenance support from the 723rd (AMS) has been
outstanding," said Colonel Fryer. "They are true professionals, and
we couldn't do this without them."

Reservists flew the first C-17 rotational airlift mission
January 25 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom's NATO training
mission in Iraq.

"This is a great partnership and a first step toward better
utilization of our assets and support to the global airlift
mission," said Colonel Fryer. "We look forward to supporting the
strategic airlift requirements not only in Europe and Africa, but
worldwide."